§ Q54. Mr. Eggarasked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the privatisation of nationalised industries.
§ The Prime MinisterPrivatisation continues to be a key element in our economic strategy. It opens up new areas to the disciplines of market forces, promotes competition and efficiency, and improves the quality of service to the consumer.
British Aerospace, Cable and Wireless, the National Freight Company, Amersham International, Britoil, Associated British Ports Holdings, some British Rail subsidiaries and parts of British Steel have all been transferred to the private sector.
This is a substantial record of achievement. Looking to the future we plan to privatise the British Gas Corporation's major oil interests in 1983–84, to sell shares in British Telecom after the election, and to transfer British Airways to the private sector as soon as possible. We will continue to identify and prepare other potential candidates for privatisation among the nationalised industries.